Modern Vespa

I'm scheduled to buy a 2009 Mp3 400 with 5200 miles tomorrow and now I'm reading all these bearing problems others are having. Now I'm getting worried. Maybe I should stop researching these bikes.

Your not going to really know until you buy the bike and take it for some test rides. If your bike does have an issue then the next question is it something you can live with or plan ahead to fix it.

In the other thread there are some links for Zerk bolts to add grease to the front bearings. There are lots of threads on this form about it with many posts including instructions, recommended tools, and the results.

Otherwise, don't worry about it, enjoy the bike, and deal with the head bearing if and when it shows up.

Make sure the bike got its initial 600k mi/1K km service done.

If it wasn't done I'd think very hard.

In my book, if the owner didn't care about the very first service then he didn't care about service at all.

Hi, I had same as the that one 400ie, I bought knowing in advance that I will have the notch problem, as long as you are aware and willing with it, then go ahead. As I understood this happens every 10k-15k, you can delay that issue by doing the steering bearing maintenance/greasing every 10k, but it will happen and it is costly to do replacement of the bearings. So if you are aware and happy, then go for it, if not do buy it. I enjoyed my MP3 and I bought it thinking that it would be safer during riding in the rain, but it turned out that it is the same as a two wheeler. I did not regret buying it, but if I went back in time knowing what I know, I would not buy it as it is more expensive to maintain and it has nothing to do with that it is not a good scooter, it is a good scooter and I am not put down the scooter. It is a good brand but it is expensive to maintain (in Australia). Also, other point to be aware of is that if you find mechanics who can work on it, as it's age, there are fewer and fewer who work on them (this is based on my experience in Australia- other parts of the world may not be an issue). I hope that helps.